2021 - May 28 - When Primary Care is Not that Primary: The Complex Role of the Gynecologist in Women’s Cancer Prevention and Survivorship

Mercedes Castiel, MD, is a gynecologist with a specialized focus and expertise in cancer survivorship. Dr. Castiel is dedicated to helping her patients improve their quality of life and maintain physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Recognizing that her patients are not defined by a cancer diagnosis, her approach is to treat each patient as a woman first. She starts by addressing general gynecologic issues and concerns, then addressing cancer history or risk.

Dr. Castiel emphasizes an individualized approach to treatment, because no two women experience an illness in the exact same way. She has experience in helping cancer survivors to maximize fertility options or manage menopause and sexuality.

Dr. Castiel’s extensive experience includes developing a program to meet the needs of women who have elevated cancer risk or a family history of cancer. She has particular experience in cancer risk associated with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndromes linked to genetic mutations, such as BRCA or a mutation associated with Lynch syndrome or Fanconi anemia. Dr. Castiel is also certified in cancer risk genetics. With this background and expertise, she also strives to make cancer risk assessment and management services available to all women.